1.The Fifth Meeting of the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) was held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on November 30 and December 1, 2004 under the basic theme “Cooperation for Nuclear Human Resources Development in Asia” with the participation of Ministers and Senior Officials, responsible for the peaceful nuclear research, development and utilization from nine Asian countries, i.e., Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The Fifth FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting (MM) began with the welcome address by H. E. Dr. Hoang Van Phong, Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Viet Nam, followed by the keynote speech by H. E. Mr. Yasufumi Tanahashi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Japan. Dr. Shunsuke Kondo, Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of Japan chaired the session.

2.In Session 1, Prof. Vuong Huu Tan, Chairman of Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC) reported on the summary of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) that was held on the previous day. Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, and Commissioner of AEC of Japan made report on the progress and perspective of FNCA activities highlighting the recent achievements and future directions. The delegates expressed their appreciation for the tangible outcomes of activities, and endorsed the future plan. The SOM Summary Report was duly adopted at the Ministerial Level Meeting.

3.In Session 2, the country reports on “Nuclear Research and Development Policy of the Country and FNCA Activities” were presented by delegates. The Session was chaired by Dr. Kondo, AEC of Japan.

The reports covered various achievements of peaceful nuclear application programs in each country as well as the latest progress of nuclear research and development, together with the latest policy developments. After reviewing FNCA activities during the past years, the participating countries expressed appreciation for the tangible progress of activities, and shared confidence in future cooperation within the FNCA framework. All delegates recognized the importance of cooperation among the FNCA countries following the FNCA's goals set by the member countries for the benefits of a better life in a more comfortable environment.

4.At the Round Table Discussion, the representatives of the FNCA countries expressed their views and made comments on two topics, namely: “Regional Cooperation of Human Resource Development for Nuclear Science and Technology” and “Policy and Program of FNCA in the Future”.

(1) For discussion of the first topic, Dr. Shunsuke Kondo, Chairman of AEC of Japan was the moderator, followed by the lead-off speaker, Prof. Vuong Huu Tan, Chairman of Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC). The discussion and conclusion are summarized as:

a. It was commonly recognized that Human Resource Development (HRD) is fundamentally important for sound development of any advanced technology such as nuclear application, and HRD is needed to be planned and prepared in well advance because it needs long time.

b. It was agreed that the proposal of Viet Nam of Asian Nuclear University should be carefully studied by senior official level meeting taking into account Asian Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT) of IAEA. The Meeting can be considered to be combined with HRD project workshop in 2005. It was also noted that HRD should be demand-driven in terms of number and quality of trainees.

c. The “Nuclear Researchers Exchange Program” provided by Japanese Government was highly appreciated by FNCA countries to be useful for their HRD, and agreed to be reviewed and studied in connection with the point of (b).

d. It was also commonly recognized the importance of public information and education leading to public acceptance.

(2) During the second half of the Round Table Discussion, “Policy and Program of FNCA in the Future”, the Hon. Dato' Kong Cho Ha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) of Malaysia was the moderator, followed by the lead-off speech made by Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, and Commissioner of AEC of Japan. Major points of discussion and conclusion are:

a. The lead-off speaker stressed that the evaluations of ongoing FNCA activities is important leading new projects to be initiated in coming years. New projects should be designed to meet common interest and needs of FNCA In this respect, FNCA member states should fully committed the implementation of FNCA activities. The Meeting supported these points.

b. It was also pointed out that the FNCA is based on the equal partnership, therefore member states are expected to propose and host FNCA activities. The Meeting endorsed this point.

c. Most of delegations fully support the points raised in the lead-off speech. On the establishment of safe and secure storage facilities for radioactive wastes from non-power application, the Philippines proposed a panel discussion and has offered to host it.

5. In Closing Session, chaired by The Hon. Dr. Estrella Alabastro, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines, Prof. Vuong Huu Tan, Chairman of VAEC introduced the meeting summary, including the venue of the Seventh FNCA Meeting in 2006 in Malaysia. The representative of the Philippines proposed that the Ninth Meeting be held in 2008 in the Philippines. Following the Remarks by Dr. Shunsuke Kondo of Chairman of AEC of Japan, the Meeting was concluded by the Closing Remarks by H. E. Dr. Hoang Van Phong, Minister of MOST.